Certification Pathways
There are multiple pathways to becoming a certified Library Media Specialist in Maine depending on previous certification. 

For candidates looking to complete a full master’s program, the American Library Association has information on accredited Master’s degree programs.

For candidates looking for non-degree credit options in Maine, the University of Maine offers a Certificate in Library and Media Specialist and Maine Educators Consortium offers courses in library media that are accepted for certification. 

Link to DOE Document (Library information is on page 17)

Competence in the standards must be demonstrated through a portfolio for all pathways. 

1.11Certificate 071: Library Media Specialist

Requirements for either Eligibility Pathway

• Earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in accordance with Part I Section 6.1 of this rule;

• Demonstrated competency in all of the School Librarian Preparation Standards (ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards):
  http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aasleducation/ALA_AASL_CAEP_School_Librarian_Preparation_Standards_2019_Final.pdf);

• Completed a minimum of three semester hours in diversity-centered content related to today’s classroom (e.g., culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education, intercultural education, second language acquisition or world language teaching methods); and

• Completed an approved course for teaching students with exceptionalities in the regular classroom.

Certificate Eligibility Pathway 1

• Completed 36 graduate semester hours aligned with ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards.

Certificate Eligibility Pathway 2

• Holds a valid Maine professional teaching certificate; and

• Completed 24 graduate semester hours aligned with ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards.

Conditional Certificates

Conditional Certificate Pathway 1

• Earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in accordance with Part I Section 6.1 of this rule; and

• Completed a minimum of 24 graduate semester hours which align with the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards.

Conditional Certificate Pathway 2

• Earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in accordance with Part I Section 6.1 of this rule;

• Holds a valid Maine professional teaching certificate; and

• Completed a minimum of six graduate semester hours which align with the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards.

Just looking for Professional Development?

•  Check out the Maine State Library for Continuing Education opportunities  

• The Maine State Library also offers a Voluntary Public Library certification program with online webinar courses that Ed Techs can also use for re-authorization.

• Consider joining the Executive Board of a professional library association such as MASL.  You'll have insight into library concerns and most will provide contact hours for attending meetings -- Contact the association you are interested in for more details.

• MASL and the Maine Library Association both provide workshops and conferences.  So do the New England Association of School Libraries and the New England Library Association as well as the American Library Association and the American Association of School Libraries -- Check out their Events page for more information.

Undergraduate Resources

The University of Maine at Augusta offers both an Associate’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science.  Most classes are available online.

Need more information? Check out these organizations:

•  Maine Library Association 
• New England Library Association
• New England School Library Association 
• American Library Association 
• American Association of School Libraries
  

Check out these educational organizations

• Maine Education Association
• National Education Association 

Other resources

• Look here for library jobs in Maine
• School jobs can be found here
  
• Join the state library listserv

All school employees in Maine must be fingerprinted.  Check here http://maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/index.html  for more details and to register.

***Last updated 08.25.2025